Did Jersey Joe Walcott develop his style from having to fight on short notice and while injured?

WTF?

 

It actually did. Walcott in the 30's according to himself and Archie Moore often came to the ring hungry and injured, but Walcott badly needed the money, so he often came up with way to win. However, it didn't always work, since against top competition his hunger impeded him in the later rounds.

Archie Moore summed up Jersey Joe's boxing career as well as anyone I ever interviewed. Archie said, " He fought from 1930 to 1953. In 67 pro fights, he won 49, of them, 30 by knockouts. Can you imagine what he could have done if he'd had proper handling during his early career? That's why it took him so long to win the heavyweight championship. Aside from being black, he had no support."

Walcott received £750 for his debut. a first-round knockout of ‘Cowboy’ Wallace in Vineland, New Jersey. Fights were hard to find in those early days and. after winning his first four contests inside the distance, Walcott could not get another fight for over two years. ‘For years I had more work dumping garbage for the Sanitation Department in Camden than I did fighting. and I was mighty glad to get it.’ he used to recall with a characteristic lack of bitterness. Walcott married young, and took whatever work he could find to support his rapidly-growing family. He and wife Lydia eventually had six children.


In June 19.4-1, desperate for cash. Walcott made a two-fight comeback. He won both contests. but no further Offers came his way and he began to resign himself to life as an ex-fighter. Then. shortly before Christmas that year. he received a visit front a local underworld figure. The caller was Felix Bocchicchio. a numbers racketeer who was also a big fight fan and the money behind Camden promoter Vic Marsillo.

 

Yes in my opinion he did, and so did Jack Johnson.

If Walcott had come along today, he might have been a very different fighter.

 

Fighters come up with all kinds of excuses for their losses.